Work can now begin on turning the former Brown Edge post office into a part of a residential home, after it was ruled that planning permission was not needed for the proposed conversion.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how the application, submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council on 9th July by Maurice Shevlin, sought a change of use to "incorporate formal post office floorspace into existing residential house".

In the application form, Mr Shevlin gave more information about the proposed development.

He stated: "Property is already a three bedroom semi-detached residential home that incorporated a commercial floorspace of 6m x 4m (one room) used as a former post office.

"The post office is now closed and the application is to use the extra room and floorspace within the existing residential home.

"Access is already by a single door from the house hallway. No major structure change to both outside and inside will be undertaken. The appearance will remain the same."

However, district council's planning officers have ruled today (Thursday) that prior approval was not required for the work to begin - therefore giving the green light for the conversion to go ahead.

Council officer Jane Curley said in a decision notice: "In respect of the development described above the prior approval is not required. The development can now be carried out as a change of use."

Biddulph Nub News also reported recently how Brown Edge residents have now returned to having their own post office, after the village had to make-do without the facility for several months.

The post office reopened at the Nisa Store, formerly Keith's Supermarket, on High Lane on 24th August.

After the previous branch closed, the post office was originally due to open in March, however this was postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

It meant that the village's residents had to make-do without their own post office throughout lockdown, with the nearest other post office being in Stockton Brook.